In a promising sign for wildlife conservation, the elusive dhole—also known as the Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus)—has made a documented return to Assam’s Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL).

Long believed to be locally extinct in the region, the species was recently captured on camera, confirming its presence for the first time in years.

The breakthrough comes from a study led by scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), recently published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa.

The findings shed light on the re-emergence of this lesser-known carnivore in a vital biodiversity hotspot.

“India is witnessing the decline of numerous wildlife species due to increasing habitat destruction, deforestation, and climate pressures,” the study highlights.

“Yet, the rediscovery of species in regions from which they were presumed gone offers renewed hope for conservationists,” it added.

The research team—comprising Mujahid Ahamad, Jyotish Ranjan Deka, Priyanka Borah, Umar Saeed, Ruchi Badola, and Syed Ainul Hussain—recorded the first-ever camera trap images of the endangered canid within the Amguri corridor of the KKAL.

Dr Ruchi Badola, Dean at WII’s Faculty of Wildlife Sciences, speaking to The Hindu, emphasised the ecological significance of the find.

“This discovery highlights the importance of the Amguri corridor as a refuge for threatened species,” she said.

“Dholes depend on expansive, undisturbed forest habitats. Their presence here underscores the urgent need to conserve and maintain these vital corridors,” she added.

Dr Badola further pointed out that such rediscoveries come at a critical time.

“As habitat loss and fragmentation intensify, this serves as a powerful reminder that protecting wildlife corridors is essential—not only for iconic species like tigers and elephants, but also for lesser-known predators like the dhole,” Dr Badola added.

Conducted in 2022, the study surveyed four key corridors within the 25,000 sq. km landscape of the KKAL, part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.

These included Panbari, Haldhibari, Kanchanjuri, and Amguri. The dhole was photographed six times in the Amguri region, with all images capturing the same individual.

The animal was spotted just 375 metres from National Highway 37 and about 270 metres from the nearest human habitation.

Social by nature, dholes typically live in packs of up to 30, although they are also known to hunt alone or in pairs depending on the availability of prey.

Once widespread across Asia, the dhole's current range has shrunk to fragmented patches in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, and several Southeast Asian nations.

Its historical range has diminished by over 75 percent due to habitat loss, declining prey populations, and human-wildlife conflict.

Prior to this discovery, the last confirmed sighting of a dhole in northeast India was reported from Nagaland in 2011.

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